Renting as a student: a practical guide

Students face a specific version of this market: less money, tighter timing, and landlords who know both. The advantages you do have are flexibility and time, if you use them early.

Search in June

The single most valuable thing on this page. Rooms taken in June cost less and are better than rooms taken in September, because in September you are competing with everybody.

What to budget for beyond rent

• The advance, usually longer on cheap rooms than expensive ones
• Transport to and from campus, every day, which adds up fast
• A mattress and basic furniture if the room is bare
• Data, because the compound will not have wifi

Sharing

Two students in a self-contained often live better, for the same money each, than two students in separate single rooms. Agree the rules first — see our guide on sharing.

Do not pay anybody who is not the landlord or caretaker

Students are targeted specifically at the start of term. Never send money for a room you have not entered, however convincing the person and however good the photographs.